Our Saint Paul Public Schools community has experienced high levels of trauma over the last few weeks, including two shootings involving young people after school and most recently, a student fatality. These traumatic events can trigger a wide range of emotions, including sadness, hopelessness, anger, loss and pain. 

Please know there are resources to support you, and for you to support your students, as our community processes these events. Each of our schools has a support team that is available to work with students and staff in times of trauma. All staff also have access to the Sand Creek Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Employees covered by Medica can also call their EAP at 800-626-7944. This service is confidential and is provided at no cost to you and your household family members. 

One of the most important things we can do as adults in the SPPS community is to pay attention to our own emotions and work to pause before responding when facing difficult conversations. Additionally, we can do our best to offer patience and compassion to our colleagues, students and families. 

Below is a list of best practices and resources to assist you during this time. Please take care of yourselves and each other.

Support Resources for Staff

• SPPS Present Teacher Restoration Project
• Pause – Reset – Nourish (PRN)* to Promote Wellbeing
• The National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Taking Care of Yourself

Resources for Supporting Students

• SPPS Mindfulness Activities and Office of School Support
• Helping Youth after Community Trauma: Tips for Educators
• Creating Supportive Environments When Scary Things Happen
• Edutopia: 7 Ways to Calm a Young Brain in Trauma